Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Nov 11, 2012

LOT 381

PATEK PHILIPPE, REF. 492, STEEL LARGE CURVED RECTANGULAR Patek Philippe & Co, Genève, No. 832591, case No. 616810, Ref. 492. Made circa 1935. Very fine and very rare, large, rectangular curved, stainless steel "Staybrite" wristwatch with a stainless steel Patek Philippe buckle. Accompanied by a Patek Philippe restoration invoice of September 2012.

CHF 25,000 - 35,000

USD 27,000 - 37,000 / EUR 21,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 30,000

C. Two-body, polished and brushed, stepped sides, elongated curved lugs, curved crystal. D. Brushed silver with applied white gold baton indexes and Roman quarter-hour numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. White gold feuille hands. M. Cal. 9'''-90, tonneau, rhodium- plated, "fausses-côtes" decoration, 18 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, selfcompensating Breguet balance spring, index regulator. Dial, case and movement signed. Dim. 23 x 44 mm. Thickness 8 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 1-49

As new

Service case
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2-52-01

Very good

Reprinted by the manufacture

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch recently underwent a full and comprehensive restoration at Patek Philippe in Geneva at a cost of 17,000 Swiss Francs. It was necessary to re-make the entire upper part of the case as well as complete service of the movement and restoration of the dial. Not surprisingly it is now in extremely good condition and is probably one of the very few watches of this period to have had a partially new case made in the Patek Philippe workshops. Never offered at auction before and only the second example in steel ever to be offered at auction, the reference 491 is an extremely rare, large and elegant Art Deco design. It is thought than less than 5 examples in steel have survived until today.